Unprecedented cellular control using light

Redefining Biomanufacturing

I believe all biomanufacturing will eventually become optogenetic and that this will have widespread impact — on everything from food and medicine to human longevity and space travel. Light is the best way to control biology as it offers the highest possible control at the lowest possible cost. I conceived of the idea for Prolific Machines and now have the great privilege of leading the insanely talented team making it happen.

First Application = Reinventing Pharma Manufacturing

Prolific’s Photomolecular platform unlocks high titers of complex protein targets by directly and precisely controlling the protein production process using light. Leveraging proprietary optogenetic tools and closed-loop control, this platform can enables major protein production solutions across low yield, misfolding, aggregation, cytotoxicity, balancing expression of protein sub-units, and complex PTMs.

Traditional systems rely on constitutive “always on” gene expression or poorly controllable molecular inducers, both of which can limit production titers, especially for more complex proteins, as the cellular machinery can become overwhelmed. Our light-controlled cell lines solve this by decoupling growth from production, allowing cells to reach high density before switching to efficient protein expression. With dynamic tuning of protein expression levels, our system can boost titers, improve manufacturability of previously unproducible candidates, and accelerate timelines to the clinic. Our technology also also has big benefits for monoclonal antibody production and AAVs.

Designed for scalability and flexibility, Prolific delivers modular solutions tailored to fit both biotech startups advancing preclinical candidates and established CDMOs and biopharma leaders to manufacture biologics with unprecedented control and efficiency. We are the first company to commercialize molecular optogenetics for biomanufacturing at scale. We recently commissioned and completed the world’s largest optogenetics production at 200L in a stainless steel tank. 

Our team brings deep expertise in cell line development and biomanufacturing from companies such as Lonza, Pfizer, Amgen, Forge Biologics, and Genentech. Our Board of Directors is helmed by leading investors and industry experts, including former Catalent CSO, Julien Meissonnier, PhD. 

Select partners include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation who we are working with to drive new efficiencies in therapeutic protein production to improve access in low- and middle-income countries while unlocking patient access alongside several confidential early- and late-stage biopharma innovators. Together, we are using light to deliver precise control over cell line development and rethinking what’s possible in therapeutics manufacturing.

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